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e saw in Class VII that

Paheli and Boojho had visited

the forest along with Professor

Ahmad and Tibu. They were eager to

share their experiences with their

classmates. Other children in the class

were also eager to share their experiences

as some of them had visited Bharatpur

Sanctuary. Some others had heard

about Kaziranga National Park,

Lockchao Wildlife Sanctuary, Great

Nicobar Biosphere Reserve and Tiger

Reserve, etc.

Some natural causes of deforestation

are forest fires and severe droughts.

Activity 5.1

Add more causes of deforestation to

your list and classify them into

natural and man-made.

5.2 Consequences of

Deforestation

Paheli and Boojho recalled the

consequences of deforestation. They

remembered that deforestation increases

the temperature and pollution level on

the earth. It increases the level of carbon

dioxide in the atmosphere. Ground water

level also gets lowered. They know that

deforestation disturbs the balance in

nature. They were told by Professor

Ahmad that if cutting of trees continues,

rainfall and the fertility of the soil will

5.1 Deforestation and Its

Causes

A great variety of plants and animals

exist on earth. They are essential for the

well-being and survival of mankind.

Today, a major threat to survival of these

organisms is deforestation. We know

that deforestation means clearing of

forests and using that land for other

purposes. Tr

ees in the forest are cut for

some of the purposes mentioned below:

l Procuring land for cultivation.

l Building houses and factories.

l Making furniture or using wood as

fuel.

How does deforestation reduce

rainfall on the one hand and

lead to floods on the other?

decrease. Moreover, there will be

increased chances of natural calamities

such as floods and droughts.

Recall that plants need carbon

dioxide for photosynthesis. Fewer trees

would mean that less carbon dioxide will

be used up resulting in its increased

What is the purpose of

making national parks,

wildlife sanctuaries and

biosphere reserves?

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amount in the atmosphere. This will lead

to global warming as carbon dioxide

traps the heat rays reflected by the earth.

The increase in temperature on the earth

disturbs the water cycle and may reduce

rainfall. This could cause droughts.

Deforestation is a major cause which

leads to the change in soil properties.

Physical properties of the soil get affected

by plantation and vegetation. Fewer

trees result in more soil erosion.

Removal of the top layer of the soil

exposes the lower, hard and rocky

layers. This soil has less humus and is

less fertile. Gradually the fertile land

gets converted into deserts. It is called

desertification.

Deforestation also leads to a decrease

in the water holding capacity of the soil.

The movement of water from the soil

surface into the ground (infiltration rate)

is reduced. So, there are floods. The

other properties of the soil like nutrient

content, texture etc., also change

because of deforestation.

We have studied in Class VII that we

get many products from forests. List these

products. Will we face shortage of these

products if we continue cutting trees?

Activity 5.2

Animal life is also affected by

deforestation. How? List the points

and discuss them in your class.

5.3 Conservation of Forest

and Wildlife

Having become aware of the effects of

deforestation, Paheli and Boojho are

worried. They go to Professor Ahmad

and ask him how forests and wildlife

can be saved.

Biosphere is that part of the earth in

which living organisms exist or which

supports life. Biological diversity or

biodiversity, refers to the variety of

organisms existing on the earth, their

interrelationships and their

relationship with the environment.

Professor

Ahmad organis

es a visit to

a biosphere reserve for Paheli, Boojho and

their classmates. He selects a place

named Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. He

knows that the plants and animals found

here are similar to those of the upper

Himalayan peaks and to those belonging

to the lower western ghats. Professor

Ahmad believes that the biodiversity

found here is unique. He requests

Madhavji, a forest employee, to guide the

children inside the biosphere reserve. He

explains that preserving areas of such

biological importance make them a part

of our national heritage.

Madhavji explains to the children

that apart from our personal efforts and

efforts of the society, government

To protect our flora and fauna and their

habitats, protected areas called

wildlife sanctuaries, national parks

and biosphere reserves have been

earmarked. Plantation, cultivation,

grazing, felling trees, hunting and

poaching are prohibited there.

Wildlife Sanctuary : Areas where

animals are protected from any

disturbance to them and their habitat.

National Park : Areas reserved for

wild life where they can freely use the

habitats and natural resources.

Biosphere Reserve : Large areas of

protected land for conservation of wild

life, plant and animal resources and

traditional life of the tribals living in

the area.

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CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS

agencies also take care of the forests and

animals. The government lays down

rules, methods and policies to protect

and conserve them. Wildlife sanctuaries,

national parks, biosphere reserves etc.,

are protected areas for conservation

of plants and animals present in

that area.

Activity 5.3

Find out the number of national

parks, wildlife sanctuaries and

biosphere reserves in your district,

state and country. Record in Table

5.1. Show these areas in an outline

map of your state and India.

Fig. 5.1 : Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve

5.4 Biosphere Reserve

Children along with Professor Ahmad

and Madhavji enter the biosphere

reserve area. Madhavji explains that

biosphere reserves are the areas meant

for conservation of biodiversity. As you

are aware that biodiversity is the variety

of plants, animals and microorganisms

generally found in an area. The

biosphere reserves help to maintain the

biodiversity and culture of that area. A

biosphere reserve may also contain

other protected areas in it. The

Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve consists

of one national park named Satpura and

two wildlife sanctuaries named Bori and

Pachmarhi (Fig. 5.1).

PACHMARHI SANCTUARY

TO PIPARIYA

TAW

RESERVIOR

CHURNA

BORI SANCTUARY

DHAIN

BORI

SATPURA NATIONAL PARK

NEEMGHAN

PANARPANI GATE

PACHMARHI

↑

Table 5.1 : Protected Areas for Conservation

Protected Areas — National Park Wildlife Sanctuary Biosphere Reserve

In my district

In my state

In my country

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(d) (e) (f)

Fig. 5.2 : (a) Wild dog (b) Cheetal (c) Wolf (d) Leopard (e) Fern (f) Jamun tree

Activity 5.4

List the factors disturbing the

biodiversity of your area. Some of

these factors and human activities

may disturb the biodiversity

unknowingly. List these human

activities. How can these be checked?

Discuss in your class and write a

brief report in your notebook.

5.5 Flora and Fauna

As the children walk around the

biosphere reserve they appreciate the

green wealth of the forest. They are

very happy to see tall teak trees and

animals inside the forest. Suddenly,

Paheli finds a rabbit and wants to

catch it. She starts running after it.

ofessor Ahmad stops her. He

explains that animals are comfortable

and happy in their own habitat. We

should not disturb them. Madhavji

explains that some animals and plants

typically belong to a particular area.

The plants and animals found in a

particular area are termed flora and

fauna respectively of that area.

Sal, teak, mango, jamun, silver ferns, arjun, etc., are the flora and

chinkara, blue-

bull, barking deer, cheetal, leopard, wild dog, wolf, etc. are examples of the fauna

of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (Fig. 5.2).

(a) (b) (c)

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I have heard that some of the

endemic species may vanish.

Is it true?

Activity 5.5

Try to identify the flora and fauna

of your area and list them.

5.6 Endemic Species

Soon the group quietly enters the deep

forest. Children are surprised to see a

very big squirrel. This squirrel has a big

fluffy tail. They are very curious to know

about it. Madhavji tells them that this

is known as the giant squirrel and is

endemic to this area.

Endemic species are those species

of plants and animals which are found

exclusively in a particular area. They are

not naturally found anywhere else. A

particular type of animal or plant may

be endemic to a zone, a state or a country.

Madhavji shows sal

and wild mango

(Fig. 5.3 (a)] as two examples of the

Fig. 5.3 (a) : Wild Mango

Fig. 5.3 (b) : Giant squirrel

endemic flora of the Pachmarhi

Biosphere Reserve. Bison, Indian giant

squirrel [Fig. 5.3 (b)] and flying squirrel

are endemic fauna of this area. Professor

Ahmad explains that the destruction of

their habitat, increasing population and

introduction of new species may affect

the natural habitat of endemic species

and endanger their existence.

Species is a group of population

which are capable of interbreeding.

This means that the members of a

species can reproduce fertile offspring

only with the members of their own

species and not with members of

other species. Members of a species

have common characteristics.

Activity 5.6

Find out the endemic plants and

animals of the region where you live.

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5.7 Wildlife Sanctuary

Soon Paheli sees a board with ‘Pachmarhi

Wildlife Sanctuary’ written on it.

Professor Ahmad explains that killing

(poaching) or capturing animals in general

is strictly prohibited and punishable

by law in all such places. Wildlife

Sanctuaries like reserve forests provide

protection and suitable living conditions

to wild animals. He also tells them that

people living in wildlife sanctuaries are

allowed to do certain activities such as

grazing by their livestock, collecting

medicinal plants, firewood, etc.

instead of their natural habitat? In

your opinion, will the animals be

comfortable in a zoo or in their

natural habitat?

5.8 National Park

On the roadside there was another

board on which was written ‘Satpura

National Park’.

Children are now eager to go there.

Madhavji tells them that these reserves

are large and diverse enough to protect

whole sets of ecosystems. They preserve

flora, fauna, landscape and historic

objects of an area. Satpura National

Park is the first Reserve Forest of India.

The finest Indian teak is found in this

forest.

There are more than one hundred

National Parks i

n India.

It is a pity that even protected forests

are not safe because people living in the

neighbourhood encroach upon them

and destroy them.

Children are reminded of their visit

to the zoo. They recall that zoos are also

places where animals receive protection.

Some of the threatened wild animals

like black buck, white eyed buck,

elephant, golden cat, pink headed

duck, gharial, marsh crocodile,

python, rhinoceros, etc., are

protected and preserved in our wild

life sanctuaries. Indian sanctuaries

have unique landscapes—broad level

forests, mountain forests and bush

lands in deltas of big rivers.

Activity 5.7

Visit a nearby zoo. Observe the

conditions provided to the animals.

Were they suitable for the animals?

Can animals live in artificial setting

Rock shelters are also found inside

the Satpura National Park. These are

evidences of prehistoric human life

in these jungles. These give us an

idea of the life of primitive people.

Rock paintings are found in these

shelters. A total of 55 rock shelters

have been identified in Pachmarhi

Biosphere Reserve.

Figures of animals and men

fighting, hunting, dancing and

playing musical instruments are

depicted in these paintings. Many

tribals still live in the area.

As children move ahead, they see a

board with ‘Satpura Tiger Reserve’

written on it. Madhavji explains that

Project Tiger was launched by the

government to protect the tigers in the

country. The objective of this project

was to ensure the survival and

maintenance of the tiger population in

the country.

What is the difference between

a zoo and a wildlife sanctuary?

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Are tigers still found in this

forest? I hope I can see a tiger!

Tiger (Fig.

5.4) is one of the many

species which are slowly disappearing

from our forests. But, the Satpura Tiger

Reserve is unique in the sense that a

significant increase in the population of

tigers has been seen here. Once upon a

time, animals like lions, elephants, wild

animals has become difficult because of

disturbances in their natural habitat.

Professor Ahmad tells them that in order

to protect plants and animals strict rules

are imposed in all National Parks.

Human activities such as grazing,

poaching, hunting, capturing of animals

Fig. 5.4 : Tiger

buffaloes (Fig. 5.5) and barasingha

(Fig. 5.6) were also found in the Satpura

National Park. Animals whose numbers

are diminishing to a level that they might

face extinction are known as the

endangered animals. Boojho is

reminded of the dinosaurs which became

extinct a long time ago. Survival of some

Fig. 5.5 : Wild buffalo

Fig. 5.6 : Barasingha

Are only big animals

facing extinction?

Madhavji tells Paheli that small

animals are much more in danger of

becoming extinct than the bigger

animals. At times, we kill snakes, frogs,

lizards, bats and owls ruthlessly without

realising their importance in the

ecosystem. By killing them we are

harming ourselves. They might be small

in size but their role in the ecosystem

cannot be ignored. They form part of

food chains and food webs.

An ecosystem is made of all the

plants, animals and microorganisms in

an area along with non-living

components such as climate, soil,

river deltas etc.

or collection of firewood,

mdicinal plants, etc. are

not allowed

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5.9 Red Data Book

Professor

Ahmad explains about Red

Data Book to the children. He tells

them that Red Data Book is the

source book which keeps a record of

all the endangered animals and

plants. Red Data Book is maintained

internationally by an organisation.

India also maintains Red Data Book

for plants and animals

found

in India.

5.10 Migration

The excursion party then enters deeper

into the forest under the guidance of

Madhavji. They sit near the Tawa

What would happen if we

had no wood? Is there

any alternative

available to wood?

I know that paper is one

of the important products

we get from forests.

I wonder whether

there are any alternatives

available for paper!

Is there any permanent

solution to the problem

of deforestation?

Reservoir to relax for some time. Paheli

observes some of the birds near the

river. Madhavji tells the children that

these are migratory birds. These birds

have flown here from other parts of

the world.

Migratory birds fly to far away areas

every year during a particular time

because of climatic changes. They fly

for laying eggs as the weather in their

natural habitat becomes very cold and

inhospitable. Birds who cover long

distances to reach another land are

known as migratory birds.

5.11 Recycling of Paper

Professor Ahmad draws attention of

the children to another cause of

deforestation. He tells them that it

takes 17 full grown trees to make one

tonne of paper. Therefore, we should

save paper. Professor Ahmad also tells

that paper can be recycled five to seven

times for use. If each student saves at

least one sheet of paper in a day, we

can save many trees in a year. We

should save, reuse used paper and

recycle it. By this we not only save

trees but also save energy and water

needed for manufacturing paper.

Moreover, the amount of harmful

chemicals used in paper making will

also be reduced.

I wonder if there is

any record of all

endangered species!

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5.12 Reforestation

Professor Ahmad suggests that the

answer to deforestation is reforestation.

Reforestation is restocking of the

destroyed forests by planting new trees.

The planted trees should generally be

of the same species which were found

in that forest. We should plant at least

as many trees as we cut. Reforestation

can take place naturally also. If the

deforested area is left undisturbed, it re-

establishes itself. In natural reforestation

there is no role of human beings. We

have already caused tremendous

damage to our forests. If we have to

retain our green wealth for future

generations, plantation of more trees is

the only option.

Professor Ahmad told them that in

India we have the Forest (Conservation)

Act. This act is aimed at preservation

and conservation of natural forests and

meeting the basic needs of the people

living in or near the forests.

After some rest Madhavji asks the

children to start heading back because

it is not advisable to stay in the

jungle after sunset. On getting back,

Professor Ahmad and the children

thank Madhavji for guiding them

through this exciting experience.

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WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

Ü Wildlife sanctuary, national park and bio-

sphere reserve are names given to the areas

meant for conservation and preservation of

forest and wild animals.

Ü Biodiversity refers to the variety of living

organisms in a specific area.

Ü Plants and animals of a particular area are

known as the flora and fauna of that area.

Ü Endemic species are found only in a particular

area.

Ü Endangered species are those which are facing

the danger of extinction.

Ü Red Data Book contains a record of

endangered species.

Ü Migration is the phenomenon of movement of

a species from its own habitat to some other

habitat for a particular time period every year

for a specific purpose like breeding.

Ü We should save, reuse and recycle paper to

save trees, energy and water.

Ü Reforestation is the restocking of destroyed

forests by planting new trees.

Exercises

1. Fill in the blanks.

(a) A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat is

called .

(b) Species found only in a particular area is known as .

2. Differentiate between the following.

(a) Wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve

(b) Zoo and wildlife sanctuary

(d) Flora and fauna

KEYWORDS KEYWORDS

KEYWORDS

BIODIVERSITY

BIOSPHERE RESERVE

DEFORESTATION

DESERTIFICATION

ECOSYSTEM

ENDANGERED

SPECIES

ENDEMIC SPECIES

EXTINCT

FAUNA

FLORA

MIGRATORY BIRDS

NATIONAL PARK

RED DATA BOOK

REFORESTATION

SANCTUARY

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3. Discuss the effects of deforestation on the following.

(a) Wild animals

(b) Environment

(d) Cities (Urban areas)

(e) Earth

(f) The next generation

4. What will happen if.

(a) we go on cutting trees.

(b) the habitat of an animal is disturbed.

5. Answer in brief.

(a) Why should we conserve biodiversity?

(b) Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals. Why?

(d) What are the causes and consequences of deforestation?

(e) What is Red Data Book?

(f) What do you understand by the term migration?

6. In order to meet the ever-increasing demand in factories and for shelter,

trees are being continually cut. Is it justified to cut trees for such projects?

Discuss and prepare a brief report.

7. How can you contribute to the maintenance of green wealth of your locality?

Make a list of actions to be taken by you.

8. Explain how deforestation leads to reduced rainfall.

9. Find out about national parks in your state. Identify and show their location

on the outline map of India.

10. Why should paper be saved? Prepare a list of ways by which you can save

paper.

E X E R C I S E S

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E X E R C I S E S

11. Complete the word puzzle.

Down

1. Species on the verge of extinction.

2. A book carrying information about endangered species.

5. Consequence of deforestation.

Across

1. Species which have vanished.

3. Species found only in a particular habitat.

4. Variety of plants, animals and microorganisms found in an area.

Extended Learning - Activities and Projects

1. Plant at least five different plants in your locality during this

academic year and ensure their maintenance till they grow.

2. Promise yourself that this year you will gift at least 5 plants to your

friends and relatives on their achievements, or on occasions like

birthdays. Ask your friends to take proper care of these plants and

encourage them to gift plants to their friends on such occasions. At

the end of the year count the plants that have been gifted through

this chain.

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Did You Know?

1. India has more than half of the world’s wild tigers, 65% of the Asian

elephants, 85% of the great one-horned rhinoceros and 100% of the

Asian lions.

2. India is sixth on a list of 12 mega-biodiversity countries in the world. It

contains two of the 34 biodiversity hotspots of the world – Eastern

Himalayas and the Western Ghats. These areas are very rich in

biodiversity.

3. One of the most important factors that threatens wildlife today is habitat

destruction due to encroachment.

4. India contains 172 species of animals considered globally threatened

or 2.9% of the world’s total number of threatened species. Eastern

Himalayas hotspot has merely 163 globally threatened species

including several animal and plant species. India contains globally

important population of some of Asia’s rarest animals such as the

Bengal fox, Marbled cat, Asiatic lion, Indian elephant, Asiatic wild ass,

Indian rhinoceros, gaur, Wild asiatic water buffalo, etc.

For knowing more, you may contact:

l Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of India

Environment, Forest and Wildlife Department

Indira Paryavaran Bhavan, Jor Bagh Road, New Delhi -110003

Website: http://envfor.nic.in

3. Is it justified to prevent tribals from staying in the core area of the

forest? Discuss the matter in your class and note down the points for

and against the motion in your notebook.

4. Study the biodiversity of a park nearby. Prepare a detailed report with

photographs and sketches of the flora and fauna.

5. Make a list of the new information you have gathered from this chapter.

Which information did you find the most interesting and why?

6. Make a list of various uses of papers. Observe currency notes carefully.

Do you find any difference between a currency paper and paper of your

notebook? Find out where currency paper is made.

7. Karnataka Government had launched ‘Project Elephant’ to save Asian

elephants in the state. Find out about this and other such campaigns

launched to protect threatened species.

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